Griselinia plant named &#39;Green Hedgemaster&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Griselinia  plant named ‘Green Hedgemaster’ that is characterized by flat rounded leaves, a semi-upright habit and medium green leaves.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Griselinia littoralis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Green Hedgemaster’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofGriselinia plant botanically known as Griselinia littoralis andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Green Hedgemaster’.

The new cultivar is a naturally occurring branch mutation of Griselinialittoralis ‘Variegata’ (not patented). ‘Green Hedgemaster’ wasdiscovered by the inventor in a cultivated area of Auckland, New Zealandin 2002.

Asexual reproduction by tip cuttings of the new cultivar ‘GreenHedgemaster’ was first performed in 2004 in Auckland, New Zealand. Sincethat time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of thenew cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newGriselinia cultivar ‘Green Hedgemaster’.

-   1. Griselinia ‘Green Hedgemaster’ exhibits flat rounded leaves.-   2. Griselinia ‘Green Hedgemaster’ exhibits a semi-upright habit.-   3. Griselinia ‘Green Hedgemaster’ exhibits medium green leaves.

The new cultivar ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is distinguishable from the parentplant by the following characteristics:

1. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has solid green leaves. The leaves of ‘Variegata’are variegated.

2. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has longer leaves.

3. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has an orbicular leaf shape. The leaves of‘Vareigata’ are elliptic.

4. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is more vigorous.

5. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has a shorter crop time.

The closest comparison cultivars are Griselinia ‘Broadway Mint’ (notpatented) and Griselinia ‘Whenauapai’ (not patented).

The new cultivar ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is distinguishable from ‘BroadwayMint’ by the following characteristics:

1. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has shorter leaves.

2. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has an orbicular leaf shape. The leaves of‘Broadway Mint are Oval.

3. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is more vigorous.

The new cultivar ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is distinguishable from‘Whenauapai’ by the following characteristics:

1. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has longer leaves.

2. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has an orbicular leaf shape. The leaves of‘Whenauapai are oval.

3. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is more vigorous.

4. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has darker green leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofGriselinia ‘Green Hedgemaster’. The plant in the photograph shows anoverall view of a 2 year old plant. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Griselinia cultivarnamed ‘Green Hedgemaster’. Data was collected in Auckland, New Zealandfrom 2 year old field grown plants. The time of year was Winter in theSouthern Hemisphere and the average temperature range was 12 to 18degrees Centigrade during the day and 4 to 11 degrees Centigrade atnight. No photoperiodic treatments or growth retardants were used. Colordeterminations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similarto the species. ‘Green Hedgemaster’ has not been tested under allpossible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Griselinia littoralis ‘Green Hedgemaster’.-   Use: Ornamental perennial shrub.-   Parentage: ‘Green Hedgemaster’ is a naturally occurring branch    mutation of Griselinia ‘Variegata’.-   Vigor: Vigourous.-   Growth rate: 1.0 meter per year.-   Growth habit: Semi upright.-   Plant shape: Rounded.-   Suitable container size: 2.0 liter container.-   Height: Average 8.0 m in height.-   Width: Average 4.0 m in width.-   Hardiness: Tolerant to −7 degrees Centigrade.-   Propagation: Tip cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 50 days in the Summer and 60    days in the Winter.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 84 days in the    Summer and 95 days in the Winter.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Quantity.—Approximately 60.        -   Length.—Average 0.25 m.        -   Diameter.—Average 5 mm.        -   Internode length.—35 mm.        -   Shape.—Rounded.        -   Color.—146A when young turning to 152D when mature.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Pinching.—Yes.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—Varies between 2 and            9.        -   Leaf shape.—Orbicular.        -   Leaf apex.—Rounded.        -   Leaf base.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf length.—Average 70 mm in length.        -   Leaf width.—Average 55 mm in width.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—144A.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—144B.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—144A.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—144B.        -   Vein color (both surfaces).—N144A.        -   Petiole length.—11 mm.        -   Petiole diameter.—3 mm.        -   Petiole color.—N144A.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate to high.-   Flowers: Flowers have not been observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Griselinia have not    been observed for disease or insect resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Griselinia plant named ‘GreenHedgemaster’ as described and illustrated.